Kolar District

Kolar pronunciation (help·info) is a city in South Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Kolar District. It is known for being one of gold mining sites in India . It is located at a distance of about 68 Km away from Bangalore and 39 km from Kolar Gold Field. It is situated on the Bangalore to Chennai National Highway-4.

The city is located on the southern maidan (plains) region of Karnataka. The Ammerallikere, a tank, forms its eastern boundary. On the north is the Kodikannur tank, the main source of water supply to the city. The nearest railway junction is at Bangarpet at a distance of about 15 km. More »

Places to see

The major and important temples in the town are Kolaramma Temple and Someswara Temple . Someswara Temple is a fine example of Vijayanagara style, complete with a massive pillared mukha mandapa. Heavy Prakara walls, ornate Kalyana mantapa and a Devi Shrine, lofty gopura is known for fine stucco figures on the tower, while the door frame is carved in typical Vijayanagara style with dwarapalas etc. The temple has large tank (Kalyani) also. There are vijayanagara inscriptions on the wall of store room and the yagashala, dated to 15th century A.D.

Kolaramma Temple : This L- shaped temple has two shrines, one for Durga(Kolaramma) and the other for saptamatras. Both have a common vestibule. The Durga Shrine has a wagon roof tower. The stucco figures in the saptamatras shrine are unusually large. The temple is of Dravida Vimana Style built in Ganga Tradition(11 century-A.D). Mahadwara has imposing pavilions in the inner side. The temple contains several Chola inscriptions. The earliest belonging to Mr. Yendeti (1012-1045 A.D)

Someswara Temple : This is fine example of Vijayanagara style, complete with a massive pillared mukha mandapa. Heavy Prakara walls , ornate Kalyana mantapa and a Devi Shrine, lofty gopura is known for fine stucco figures on the tower , while the door frame is carved in typical Vijayanagara style with dwarapalas etc.. The temple has large tank (Kalyani) also. There are vijayanagara inscriptions on the wall of store room and the yagashala datable to 15 cent A.D.

The Kolar Betta or Kolar Hills which are also known as Satasringa hills present a barren and rockery appearance on all sides but on the tops are some villages with irrigable lands. A perennial spring on the east of the hills called Antaraganga is deemed sacred culminated a small pond having a mantapa in the center supplied with water falling through the mouth of a stone Bull. This Place is also a popular picnic spot..

Kurudumale: The famous Kurudumale Temple is situated 12 Kms away from Mulabagal, was the capital of Hoysala Dynasty. The gaint 13.5 foot sculpture of kurudumale Ganesha and the Someswara Temple , attract thousands of visitors from the surrounding states.

Koti Lingeshwara: Kammasandra, a village 6 Kms away from Kolar Gold Fieid has a collection of number of Shiva Lingas. More than 80 lakhs of such Lingas have already been installed here since 1974. Among them 108 ft. height Linga is the main attraction. Accommodation and free food facilities are also available for Tourists.

The Kolar Gold Fields is located 27 Kms away from Kolar. The K.G.F. City is entirely a creation of the Gold mining industry. The Champion mine is the deepest mine in the world. The BEML, recently established at this place by the Union Government as a large scale industry for the manufacture of Earth moving Equipments and Crawler tractors.

Avani known as Gaya of the South, Avani has a cluster of Ramalingeshwara Temple all with in one courtyard dedicated to Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Shatrugna as well as a shankara muth built by the Nolamba dynasty. Legend has it, that the hill above was home to Valmiki's Ashram, where Lava and Kusha were Born and raised.

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Tourist offices:-	KSTDC (bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
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